Nomad Physical Therapy

I can’t express enough how a great time it was. New friends and family. Learned some Spanish, PT Techniques, and saw some beautiful sights what more can you ask for! PT’s were very supportive and helpful we went to two clinics and saw how they worked. Everyone wqs happy to be there. Everything was so personal and engaging teaching things step by step. We observed for a total of 75 hours and each hour was filled with a new question and discussion. Thank you to our wonderful coordinators for setting up this program for us.

I’m not even sure where to begin, but I want to give a huge shoutout to the amazing and dedicated staff at Nomad Physical Therapy (Paulina and Miguel) and the staff at Hotel Casa Del Balam. They were such a blessing and made my experience in Mérida, Yucatán México unforgettable.

Over the 3 weeks of our summer trip in the heart of the Yucatán, we as a group had the privilege of enjoying a rich blend of Mexican and Mayan heritage filled with beautiful city streets, vibrant foods, cultural sites, and most of all, people.

Each week was packed full of activity -- Week days consisted of working alongside Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Students, Sports Medicine Professionals and others, collaborating and working hands-on with patients to learn more about Physical Therapy, practice Spanish (and Mayan!), and gain new perspectives about the greater Healthcare system abroad.

Weekends were equally active, filled with sunshine, food, and laughter. One weekend we enjoyed beautiful, crystal clear beaches with sand in-between our toes, the next, centuries old Mayan ruins and sacred cenotes.

All in all, these experiences were such a treat and continued to make clear my decision and path forward towards becoming a Physical Therapist.

One pearl of wisdom which I took away from my experience, is that people, no matter where they are from, are what make a place truly great.

While short, I hope that I have painted a small but colorful representation as to the level of enjoyment and quality of my time spent abroad with Nomad Physical Therapy in the heart of the Yucatán.

So again, a huge shoutout to Paulina and Miguel at Nomad Physical Therapy for the unforgettable experience, I highly recommend!

PRO TIP: *Order the Cochinita Pibil. You'll thank me later.*

I had a great time, both in the clinics, and outside the clinics on our excursions and trips around as a group. Switching between the clinics provided the opportunity to see how different the practice is outside of what see in the United States. Some clinics focused on the rehabilitation process through exercise while another prioritized treatment of pain through dry needling methods.
The excursions and scenery was amazing to be able to experience firsthand, the beauty of the cenotes and the culture on the streets was an experience I won’t forget.

My experience with the Nomads Physical Therapy program was very positive and meaningful. One of the best parts of the program was having the opportunity to complete observation hours and gain experience in a different physical therapy setting. It allowed me to learn more about the profession while also seeing how physical therapy is practiced in Mexico compared to the United States.
I found it especially interesting to learn about the similarities and differences between physical therapy in both countries. I was also able to understand how different challenges can affect patients depending on where they live, including access to healthcare, resources, and other factors that can influence their treatment and recovery. This experience helped me appreciate the importance of adapting care to each person's individual situation.
Another great part of the program was meeting new people and making connections with other students and professionals. I was able to make new friends and create relationships that made the experience even more enjoyable. Everyone was welcoming, and I felt that I was able to learn not only from the physical therapy experiences but also from the people around me.
The weekend excursions were also a very interesting and informative part of the program. They gave us the opportunity to explore new places, learn about the culture and history, and experience more of what Mexico has to offer outside of the clinical setting.
Overall, Nomads Physical Therapy was a very good experience that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I gained valuable observation experience, learned more about physical therapy in different countries, met great people, and created memories and connections that I will carry with me in the future. I would definitely recommend this program to other physical therapy students looking for an educational and enjoyable experience abroad.

This program offered me an amazing opportunity to see patients undergoing physical therapy in multiple clinics around Merida. It was wonderful to see the different types of therapy used by each clinic and feel appreciated by the patients who began to recognize me after seeing me multiple times. The excursions were fun while still being informational, and the food was delicious and different from what I was used to eating back in the United States. The small group of students better helped me get to know everyone personally and made us feel closer to one another.